Free advice for Oregon, from a visitor from Colorado

Seattle Sounders FC supporters cheer during a match against the Portland Timbers in May 2011 in Seattle .Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press

Hey Oregon,

1. Turn on your headlights.

2. Let drivers pump their own gas.

3. Start collecting sales tax.

Regarding No. 1: Having spent an enjoyable week in your state, traveling around in a rental car to Portland, Astoria, Tillamook, Florence and Eugene, where it was frequently wet, or raining, everyone needs to have their headlights on, even in the daytime.

My guess is that because the locals are used to this weather, they do not turn their headlights on. They should.

Regarding No. 2: Every time I bought gas, I spoke with the person pumping the gas, and they all said the law that prohibits drivers from pumping their own gas is stupid. Get rid of it.

Oregon and New Jersey are the only states that will not let drivers pump their own gas. With 48 states doing it the other way, you should change.

But when I bought coffee at McDonalds, or a meal out, I did not pay one cent of sales tax. What is the logic in that?

It also makes no sense to have folks from Washington come to Oregon to buy stuff, since Oregon charges no sales tax on "stuff."

If Oregon collected sales taxes from tourists like me, then maybe there would be more funding for local services, such as libraries, and the burden of funding the state would not be on the backs of the property taxpayers.